How to Apply for Marriage Registration?

The marriage certificate is the official document which certifies the marriage of two people under a relevant Act. On registering a marriage, a certificate is issued by the marriage registrar. In the following article we are going to discuss the procedure of marriage registration and the documents required for it. 

Procedure to register a marriage in India

In India, marriages must be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 or the Special Marriage Act of 1954. In the year 2006, the Supreme Court of India declared it mandatory for marriages to be registered. 

Online registration for a marriage certificate

Nowadays, online registration is preferred as it saves time and is less troublesome, as there is no need to stand in long queues. The steps required for getting  the online marriage certificate are as follows-

1. Open the government’s official website, where the applicant belongs to
2. Find the form for registration after browsing the website.
3. Fill the required details as provided in the form
4. Submit the form

After the form is submitted, the marriage registrar would summon the applicant on a particular date and time. It is necessary to be present at the office of the marriage registrar at the time with the required documents. Two witnesses are also required to be present at the marriage registrar’s office, who were also present at the wedding. 

Offline registration for a marriage certificate

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

1. Couples who married as per the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jain traditions and belong to these communities, can apply for marriage registration under this Act. 
2. The couple has to visit the office of the Sub-registrar under whose jurisdiction the marriage was solemnised. 
3. As per the customs and rituals of either of the parties, a Hindu marriage could be solemnised.

Under the Special Marriage Act, 1954

1. As per the Act, all the citizens of India can get their marriage registered under the Act. 
2. As the couple filed for the court marriage under this Act, the certificate of registration is given by the marriage officer as well.
3. A period of 30 days is provided for any objection, if no objection is raised to the marriage, the officer issues a certificate to the couple. 
4. The whole process could be completed without following any of the customs. 

Where to file for registration?

1. Marriage could be registered by both online and offline procedures.
2. The online registration could be done in major cities in the country. 
3. For the offline procedure, one has to file for registration in the office of the sub-registrar of the place where their marriage was solemnised. 

Documents required

1. Application form duly filled and signed by the parties.
2. Document for proof of birth
3. Residential proof of both parties.
4. If the marriage took place at a religious place, then certificate from the institution
5. Fees of Rs 100 if the marriage was solemnised under the Hindu Marriage Act; and a fee of Rs 150 if the marriage was solemnised under the Special marriage Act, 1954
6. Two passport size photos of the parties
7. Invitation card of the wedding
8. Affirmation by the parties that they do not come under the degrees of prohibitA copy of divorce decree or the death certificate of the previous spouse, if either of the parties is divorced or widowed.
9. Affidavit informing the date  of marriage, place of marriage, the time of marriage, marital status and the nationality of both parties.  
10. Two witnesses who attended the marriage are also required to be present in the court of the marriage registrar.

It is important to have your marriage registered so as to legalise it. A marriage certificate is the substantive proof of the solemnization of the marriage. In case you wish to file for marriage certificate or court marriage, you are advised to seek the legal guidance or assistance from an experienced advocate, Lead India offers you a team of experienced advocates who have been helping couples get their marriage solemnised or having their marriage registered in the court.